Truck for handling bricks.



PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

Y J. J. GLBDHYILL. TRUCK FOR HANDLING BRICKS.

APPLICATION FILEfilPR-fi. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l I I I ll.

'PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

' J. J. GLEDHILL.

TRUCK FOR HANDLING BRICKS.

' APPLICATION FILED APR.6.1903.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

, J. J-. GLEDHILL.

-TRUGK'POR HANDLING BRICKS.

APPLIOATION nun) APB.6.1903.

V a SHEETS-SHEET s.

UNITED STATES Patented May 23, 1905.

JOHN J. GLEDHILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRUCK FOR HANDLING BRICKS.

SPEOIFIGATION'fOrming part of Letters Patent No. 790,495, dated May 23,1905.

Application filed April 6, 1903. Serial No. 151,212.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OI-INJ. GLEDHILL, a citizen of the United Statesof America,and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trucks for HandlingBricks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trucks for handling brick. The particularmanner of using a truck for this purpose consists in first drawing thetruck beneath a suitably-elevated pallet of brick, adjusting or raisingthebody of the truck in such manner as to lift the pallet from thesupports, and in then drawing the truck forward for the purpose oftransferring the brick to the desired point. It is a truck for thisparticular purpose to which this invention relates.

can be received and upon Which the brick can be rotated to any desiredposition.

Another object is to provide an improved toggle arrangement for raisingand lowering the upper or supporting portion of the truck.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features ofimprovement tending to increase the general efliciency of a truck ofthis particular character..

To the foregoing and other useful ends this invention consists inmatters hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a truckconstructed in accordance with this invention, the near rear wheel beingremoved .and the vertically-adjustable portion of the truck being shownin its lowered position in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan, on a smallerscale,of the truck shown in Fig. '1, a portion of the top of theturn-table being broken away for .the' purpose of showing the wheels orrolls. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section through a portion of theturn-table. Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section through a portionof the turn-table. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with theexception that the turn-table is not shown and that the toggleconnections at one side of the truck are shown in horizontal section.Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of the truck.

The invention can be embodied in a truck of the character shown in thedrawings. As thus embodied the invention comprises a suitablebody-frame, which may consist of a couple of parallel arms 1 1 and whichis preferably supported in a suitably-elevated position by the frontwheels 2 and-the rear wheels 3. The rear wheels can be mounted upon thespindles of the rear axle 4. and this axle can be connected with thesaid body-frame through the medium of the bolster-like portions 5.

The forward running-gear preferably involves a fifth-wheel devicewhereby the truck may be turned around or its course altered at will. Tosuch end the said forward runninggear may comprise an axle 6, upon whichthe forward wheels 2 are mounted and which is connected with thebody-frame through the medium of the bolster 7 and'the bolster-likeportions 8. A fifth-wheel device, comprising the circle-irons 9 and 10and the kingbolt 11, preferably forms the medium of rotative connectionbetween the front axle and the bolster 7. A tongue l1 can be connectedwit'hthe front axle in any suitable manner.

It will be observed that the front wheels 2 are preferably of such sizeand, that the construction and arrangement of the body-frame is suchthat the said front wheels can be turned to any extent in eitherdirection, so as to facilitate turning around. In other words, the frontwheels may undercut the body.

.Furthermore, all of the wheels are preferably provided withball-bearings 12. This greatly reduces friction and renders the truckexceedingly easy to handle. Also as a feature of further improvement thewheels are all provided with substantially flat treads, the tread ofeach wheel being wide enough to permit it to travel readily upon eitherthe ground or a suitable flooring and each wheel being preferablyprovided with a groove 13. The

grooves in the wheels adapt them for traveling upon straps or railsWithout in any way rendering them unfit for travel upon the ground orupon a floor.

The vertically-adjustable upper portion 14 of the body-frame is adaptedto rise and fall for the purpose of lifting the brick from ofl' thesupports. This vertically-adjustable portion of the body-frame may beconstructed of a pair of channel-irons, connected with the main orstationary portion of the body-frame through the medium of the toggleconnections 15. These toggle connections have their upper ends pivotedat 16 to the said vertically-adjnstable portion of the body-frame andhave their lower ends likewise connected at 17 with the forward and rearportions of the stationary frame or body. The framelike structure thusarranged for vertical movement can be steadied against forward orrearward lurch during its rise and fall by means of steady-pins 18.These pins can be secured to the upper framework and arranged to Work inopenings in the cross-beams 19, which latter constitute a portion of thestationary framework. It will be understood that the toggles 15 shown inFig. 1 are duplicated at the other side of the truck. As a simple andeffective arrangement for operating these toggles so as to cause them toraise and lower the upper portion of the frame or body the toggles ateach side of the truck can be connected by horizontally-arranged bars20, and these bars can in turn be connected with the swinging tonguethrough the medium of the shaft 21, the crank-arms 22 and 23, theconnecting-rod 2 1, and the hook 25. The connection between the book 25and rod 24. is preferably such that the connection thus provided betweenthe tongue and the toggle arrangement can be opened or closed at will,so as to render the tongue either free or operatix e to raise the upperportion of the frame. The shaft 21 can be mounted in suitable bearings26 on the two channel-irons.

The turn-table, which is preferably mounted upon the uppervertically-adjustable portion of the body-frame, may consist of theupper and lower circle-irons 27 and 28, each iron beingtrough-shaped incross-section. In order that the upper circle 27 may revolve freely, thetwo circular pieces of channel-iron thus adapted to fit together can beseparated by the antifriction rolls or wheels 29. These rolls can bemounted or arranged in any suitable manner; but as a matter of furtherand special improvement they are preferably mounted on a framework 30,which is adapted to travel with the rolls when the upper member 27 ofthe turn-table is rotated for the purpose of shifting or altering theposition of the pallet of brick.

In operation the truck, with the parts in the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 1, is lirst positioned directly below the pallet of brick.The tongue is then swungdownward from the position shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1, and during this part of the operation the turntable is causedto rise upwardly against the pallet of brick, and the upward movementcontinuing the pallet is lifted from the supports. When the toggles arebrought to the positions in which they are shown in full lines in Fig.1, they become self-locking, so to speak, the joints of the togglesbeing brought past the center,so that each toggle rests agai nst one ofthe cross-beams 19. In this condition the truck, with the pallet ofbrick upon it, can be drawn to the point or place to which it is desiredto transport the brick. Obviously with a truck of the constructiondescribed this operation of transferring aconsiderable quantity of brickfrom one place to another is accomplished in an easy and convenientmanner. The fifth-wheel with which the forward portion of the truck isprovided permits the wheels of the truck to leave the track and travelupon a suitable floor or even upon the ground and permits the truck tobe easily handled and turned around.

I claim as my invention 1. A truck for handling brick, comprising astationary body portion, front and rear wheels, an uppervertically-adjustable body portion, means for guiding the upperadjustable body portion in its up and down movements, a plurality oftoggle connections arranged at opposite sides of the truck and adaptedto connect the stationary body portion with the uppervertically-adjustable body portion, a plurality oflongitudinally-extending bars for connecting the said toggleconnections, a transversely-extcnding shaft, crank-arms on said shaftconnected with said bars, another crank-arm on said shaft, a suitabletongue, and suitable connection between said tongue, and saidlast-mentioned crank-arm, the suitable devices being adapted to maintainthe adjustable upper body portion in a horizontal position.

2. A truck for handling brick, comprising a stationary bodyportion,front and rear wheels, a fifth-wheel device interposed as mediumof connection between the forward wheels and the said stationary bodyportion, a verticallyadjustable upper body portion, means for guidingsaid adjustable body portion in its up and down movements, a pluralityof toggle connections between the said upper and lower body portions foradjusting the upper body portion, and for maintaining the upper bodyportion in a horizontal position throughout the limits of its:uljustment, a suitable tongue, and means including atransverselyarranged rock-shaft with a crank-arm at each end forconnecting said tongue with said toggle connections.

a lower stationary body portion, an upper.

. vertically-adjustable body portion, means for guiding the upperadjustable body portion in its up and down movements, front and rearwheels, each wheel having a broad flat tread with acircumferentially-extending groove, whereby the wheels may travel eitherupon a track or upon a flooring, means including toggles and arock-shaft, the cranks on the shaft being connected with the middleportion of said toggles, for adjusting the upper body portion, the saidadjusting means being adapted to maintain the upper body portion inahorizontal position, and a fiftl1wheel device interposed as medium ofconnection between the front wheels and the said stationary body por'tion.

4. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable stationary bodyportion, an upper vertically-adjustable body portion, suitable adjustingdevices including a transversely-arranged rock-shaft with a crank'arm ateach end for raising and lowering said upper body dium of connectionbetween the forward wheels and the said stationary body portion, anupper vertically-adjustable body portion, means for guiding saidadjustable body portion in its upand down movements, and means includinga transversely-arranged rock-shaft with a crank-arm at each end andtoggle de- Vices for raising and lowering said upper body portion, andfor maintaining the upper body portion in a horizontal positionthroughout the limits of its adjustment. p

6. A truck for handling brick, comprising a lower stationary and anupper verticallyadjustable body portion, means for guiding the upperadjustable body portion in' its up and down movements, a plurality .oftoggle connections between the upper and lower body portions, suitableconnections including a transversely-arranged rock-shaft withacranktable mounted upon the said upper body por tion.

7. A truck for handling brick, comprising a lower stationary bodyportion, an upper vertically-adjustable body portion, means for guidingsaid adjustable body portion in its up and down movements, I front andrear wheels, a plurality of toggle connections between the said bodyportions for adjusting the upper body portion, and for maintaining theupper body portion in a horizontal position throughout the limits of itsadjustment, stops against which the toggles may be brought to an at-restposition when the upper body portion is raised to its elevated position,and suitable connections including a transverselyarranged rock-shaftwith a crank-arm at each end for operating said toggle connections.

8. A truck for handling brick, comprising K a body, rear sup'po rtingwheels, front supporting-wheels, a fifth-wheel device connecting thefront wheels with the body, a vertically-adjustablesupporting-frameworkcarried by the body, toggles for raising andlowering said framework, a transversely-arranged rockshaft mounted onthe body at a point between the front and rear wheels, means for rockingsaid shaft, and crank-arms on said shaft suitably connected with themiddle portions'of said toggles.

9. Atruck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, rear wheels,front wheels, a fifth-wheel device connectingthe'front wheels with thebody, a vertically-adjustable frame- .work carried by the body, guidesin which said framework slides up and down, and a tongue connected andarranged to have the double function of raising and loweringsaidframework and operating said fifth-wheel device, the constructionincluding a disconnecting device intermediate of. the tongue and"framework, whereby the tongue may be totally disconnected from the saidadjustable framework.

. '10. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, front andrear wheels, all of said wheels having broad treads withcentrallyarranged and peripherally-extending grooves, the said wheelsbeing thereby ad apted to travel either on rails or a floor-surface, afifth-wheel device connecting the front wheels with the body, avertically-adjustableframework carried'by the body, guides inwhichsaidframework slides up and down, and a tongue connected andarranged to have the double function of. raising andlowering saidframework and operating said fifth-wheel device, the constructionincluding a disconnecting device intermediate of the tongue andframework, whereby the tongue may be totally disconnected from the saidadjustable framework.

11. A truck for handling brick, comprising a body, front and rearwheels, a fifth-wheel device between the front wheels and the body, avertically-adjustable framework carried by said body, guides in whichsaid framework slides up and down, a turn-table carried by saidvertically-adjustable framework, and a tongue-connected and arranged tohave the double function of raising and lowering the &

framework. 1

12. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, front andrear wheels, a fifthwheel device between the body and the front wheels,a vertically-adjustable framework carried by the body, a rock-shaftconnected and arranged for raising and lowering said framework, and atongue connected and arranged to have the double function of rockingsaid shaft and operating said fifth-wheel device, the connectionsincluding a disconnecting device intermediate of the tongue andframework, whereby the tongue may be totally disconnected from saidadjustable framework.

13. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, front andrear wheels, all of said wheels having broad treads withcentrally-arranged and peripherally-extending grooves, the said wheelsbeing thereby adapted to travel either on rails or a floor-surface, afifth wheel device connecting the front wheels with the body, avertically-adjustable framework carried by the body, and a tongueconnected and arranged to have the double function of raising andlowering said framework and operating saidfifth-wheel device, theconnections including toggles operated by the tongue, and there beingguiding devices for holding the adjustable framework against horizontalmovement.

1 1. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, rearwheels, front wheels, a fifth-wheel device connecting the front wheelswith the body, a vertically-adjustable framework carried by the body,and a tongue connected and arranged to have the double function ofraising and lowering said framework and operating said fifth-wheeldevice, the connections including toggles operated by the tongue, andthere being guiding devices for holding the adjustable framework againsthorizontal movement.

15. A truck for handling brick, comprising a body, front and rearwheels, a fifth-wheel device between the front wheels and the body, avertically-adjustable framework carried by said body, a turn-tablecarried by said vertically-adjustable framework, and a tongue connectedand arranged to have the double function of raising and lowering saidframework and operating said fifth-wheel device, the connectionsincluding toggles operated by the tongue, and therebeing guiding devicesfor holding the adjustable framework against horizontal movement.

16. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body, front andrear wheels, a fifthwheel device between the body and the front wheels,a vertically-ad j ustable framework carried by the body, a rock-shaftconnected and arranged for raising and lowering said framework, and atongue connected and arranged to have the double function of rockingsaid shaft and operating said iifth-wheel device, the connectionsincluding toggles operated by the tongue, and there being guidingdevices for holding the adjustable framework against horizontalmovement.

17. A truck for handling brick, comprising a body-frame, front and rearwheels, a fifthwheel device interposed between the front wheels and thebody-frame, an upper vertically-adjustable body portion, togglesconnecting the upper portion with the lower bodyframe, a tongue forcontrolling said fi fth-wheel device, and means for connecting saidtongue with the middle portions or joints of said toggles, whereby thesaid tongue has the double function of raising and lowering the upperbody portion and operating said fi fth-wheel device.

18. A truck for handling brick, comprising a suitable body-frame, frontand rear wheels, a fifth-wheel device between the front wheels and thebody-frame, a vertically-adjustable upper body portion, front and reartoggles for raising and lowering said body portion, and a tongueconnected and arranged to operate said toggles and control saidfifth-wheel device.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 2d day of April,1903.

JOHN J. G-LEDHILL.

Witnesses:

CHAs. HIoKoK, WM. A. HARDERS.

